Circumcision is a practice that has been with us for centuries. It has is performed for many reasons that include cultural rites, religious ceremonies and as a medical intervention. Although the exact procedure varies depending on the region of the world in which it is performed, the general principle involves the surgical removal of the foreskin that covers the head of the penis. While some communities perform newborn circumcision, others prefer to do it much later.
Personal hygiene appears to be the main reason as to why the practice has been incorporated in modern medicine. In the uncircumcised male, there is accumulation of a whitish discharge called smegma. Smegma is said to predispose one to recurrent infections and to result into odor if not cleaned out. If you do not plan to have the procedure, ensure that you wash this discharge off from the penis of your baby as often as possible.
The best time to have a newborn circumcised is when they are still in hospital after delivery. Since the obstetrician is trained to perform the operation, it will be convenient for the mother and will cost a lot less than when it is scheduled for a later date. The operation may be postponed or cancelled altogether if medical abnormalities are noted in the baby.
Poor general health condition is one of the commonest reasons as to why this procedure may be cancelled. This is mainly because the baby may not withstand the anesthesia that is administered. The pain may also be too much for the young one. When sick, the immunity of the baby is compromised and therefore there is a high risk of infections setting in when the operation is performed.
Anatomical anomalies may make it difficult to carry out the procedure initially. Defects of the urethra such as hypospadia and epispadia top this list. Epispadia is a condition in which the urethra opens on the dorsal aspect of the penis while in hypospadia the opening is located on the ventral aspect of the penile shaft. Circumcision is usually delayed and is done at a later date by urologists.
It is important that the baby is started on a course of antibiotics after they leave the hospital. These are usually taken for between 7 and 10 days. Pain relievers are needed during the same duration as well. A bandage is used to dress the wound so as to keep way potential infective organisms. This bandage should be removed after about 48 hours after the operation.
Compared to adults, babies tend to heal much faster. Most babies will heal within seven to ten days after the operation. In the initial days, you may notice redness on the tip with a small amount of yellow fluid. This is entirely normal and should not be a cause for worry. Be worried, however, if there is generalized redness that fails to resolve, persistent swelling or the presence of a cloudy discharge.
Before signing up for the circumcision of your baby, you will be well advised to hold a discussion with your doctor. The focus should be on weighing the benefits against the potential risks. If the risks are high at the time, consider postponing it to a later date. Although the risks will be slightly higher in older children, the final outcomes are more or less the same.
Personal hygiene appears to be the main reason as to why the practice has been incorporated in modern medicine. In the uncircumcised male, there is accumulation of a whitish discharge called smegma. Smegma is said to predispose one to recurrent infections and to result into odor if not cleaned out. If you do not plan to have the procedure, ensure that you wash this discharge off from the penis of your baby as often as possible.
The best time to have a newborn circumcised is when they are still in hospital after delivery. Since the obstetrician is trained to perform the operation, it will be convenient for the mother and will cost a lot less than when it is scheduled for a later date. The operation may be postponed or cancelled altogether if medical abnormalities are noted in the baby.
Poor general health condition is one of the commonest reasons as to why this procedure may be cancelled. This is mainly because the baby may not withstand the anesthesia that is administered. The pain may also be too much for the young one. When sick, the immunity of the baby is compromised and therefore there is a high risk of infections setting in when the operation is performed.
Anatomical anomalies may make it difficult to carry out the procedure initially. Defects of the urethra such as hypospadia and epispadia top this list. Epispadia is a condition in which the urethra opens on the dorsal aspect of the penis while in hypospadia the opening is located on the ventral aspect of the penile shaft. Circumcision is usually delayed and is done at a later date by urologists.
It is important that the baby is started on a course of antibiotics after they leave the hospital. These are usually taken for between 7 and 10 days. Pain relievers are needed during the same duration as well. A bandage is used to dress the wound so as to keep way potential infective organisms. This bandage should be removed after about 48 hours after the operation.
Compared to adults, babies tend to heal much faster. Most babies will heal within seven to ten days after the operation. In the initial days, you may notice redness on the tip with a small amount of yellow fluid. This is entirely normal and should not be a cause for worry. Be worried, however, if there is generalized redness that fails to resolve, persistent swelling or the presence of a cloudy discharge.
Before signing up for the circumcision of your baby, you will be well advised to hold a discussion with your doctor. The focus should be on weighing the benefits against the potential risks. If the risks are high at the time, consider postponing it to a later date. Although the risks will be slightly higher in older children, the final outcomes are more or less the same.
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